Steam generating subassembly for electric iron

ABSTRACT

A sole plate of an electric iron containing two independent steam generating chambers separately generating a low velocity steam and a high velocity steam, respectively, and communicating with steam ports in the sole plate through a common outlet path. The low and high velocity steam generating chambers include a substantially linear passageway and a tortuous passageway, rspectively. A portion of a water receiving passage of the high velocity steam generating chamber and a portion of its tortuous passageway extend over a heating element embedded in the sole plate.

United States Patent [191 Eaton et al.

[11] 3,828,452 [451 Aug. '13, 1974 STEAM GENERATING SUBASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC IRON [75] Inventors: John L. 'Eaton, Delanco, N.J.; Roger V. Eeckhout, Warminster, Pa.

' [73] Assignee: SCM Corporation, New York, NY.

[22] Filed: June 1,.1973

[21] App]. No.: 366,008

[52] U.S. Cl. 38/77.83

[51] Int. Cl. D06f 75/06 [58] Field of Search 38/775, 77.7, 77.8, 77.83, 38/779 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,134,182 5/1964 Morton 38/77.) 3,304,636

2/1967 Vieceli et al 38/77.9

Primary Eraminer-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fidelman, Wolffe, Leitner & Hiney ABSTRACT A sole plate of an electric iron containing two independent steam'generating chambers separately generating a low velocity steam and a high velocity steam, respectively, and communicating with steam ports in the sole plate through a common outlet path. The low and high velocity steam generating chambers include a substantially linear passageway and a tortuous passageway, rspectively. A portion of a water receiving v passage of the high velocity steam generating chamber and a portion of its tortuous passageway extend over a heating element embedded in the sole plate.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Risacher 38/7783 PATENTEB 1 31974 SHEET 1 0F 2 PATENTEU 1 31974 sum a [If 2 STEAM GENERATING SUBASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC IRON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to electric steam irons and more particularly to electric steam irons having the ability to generate in separate chambers a continous low velocity steam and a deep penetrating, high velocity steam which comminicates with common steam ports in the sole plate.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the field of steam irons, it has been recognized that the generation of two types of steam is desired to meet the variety of fabrics which need to be ironed. Most steam irons generate a continuous low velocity steam by a continuous, metered drip of water from a reservoir tank to a steam generating chamber cast in the sole plate. The need for a high velocity, deep penetrating steam is also recognized in the art by the inclusion of a device which introduces a larger amount of water than that introduced by the meter valve to produce a deep penetrating steam with a high velocity. This larger amount of water is generally introduced by manual depression of a plunger to pump water from the reservoir tank into the same or adjacent to the steam generating chamber for the metered water.

Steam irons of the prior art, for example, those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,559,357 and 3,711,972, disclose the use of two steam generating chambers (one for the continuous low velocity steam and one for the high velocity steam) with the steam generating chambers of these two patents utilizing a common path to produce steam and having only separate points of entry for the water. By using common steam generating paths, the steam iron of the prior art cannot individually control the conditions at which the two types of steam may be generated. These steam irons also generally have the steam generating chambers lying within the interior of the generally U-shaped embedded heating element and consequently do not take advantage of the hottest area of the sole plate for the initial production of steam. Completely independent steam generating chambers are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,636, but the two chambers produce steam to be used with the steam ports in the sole plate of the iron and with the spray nozzle of the iron, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a steam generating subassembly for an electric iron having tow independent steam generating chambers for generating a continuous low velocity steam and a high velocity, deep penetrating steam, respectively. The low velocity steam generating chamber includes a generally linear water receiving passage which has water introduced therein from a water reservoir by a meter valve, and a generally linear passageway which communicates with the steam ports in the sole plate of the iron through a common outlet path. The substantially linear passageway and passage lie within a U-shaped heating element embedded within said sole plate. The high velocity steam generating chamber includes a substantially smooth, water receiving curved passage which has water introduced therein from the water reservoir by a manual pump and a tortuous passageway which is connected to the common outlet path. A portion of the curved water receiving passage and of the tortuous passageway is located over the embedded heating element. By placing portions of the high velocity steam generating chamber over the heating element and by the use of a tortuous passageway, the large amount of water introduced therein is assured of complete water to steam conversion since it travels a longer, hotter and more tortuous route than the water in the low. velocity steam generating chamber.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a new, improved sole plate having two independent steam generating chambers therein for producing a continuous low velocity steam and a high velocity deep penetrating steam, respectively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved sole plate having two independent steam generating chambers wherein the high velocity steam generating chamber includes an initial water receiving passage and a tortuous passageway, both of which have portions extending over an embedded heating element.

Still another object of the present invention is the production of low velocity steam without using intricate maze-type structures which tend to be plugged up by tap water scale deposits with a tortuous path being used only in the high velocity steam chamber which is not used as frequently.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawmgs.

. cured thereto forming the steam generating chambers of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the two steam generating chambers without the remainder of the sole plate and with the cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view takne taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 with the cover removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the steam generating subassembly 10 having a sole plate 12 and a cover 14 secured to the sole plate 12 by fasteners going through holes 16. Water from a reservoir (not shown) is introduced by a metered valve (not shown) through aperture 18 in the sole plate cover 14 into the low velocity steam generating chamber, and water is also introduced by a manual pump (for example, the one in copending application Ser. No. 363,965, filed May 25, 1973) through aperture 20 in sole plate cover 14 into the high velocity steam generating chamber.

- Embedded within sole plate 12 is a generally U-shaped heating element 22 having parallel legs 24, 26 and a bight portion 28. The heating element 22 extends up from the soleplate 12 with electrical terminals 30 and 32 extending therefrom.

The low velocity steam generating chamber, shown more specifically in FIGS. 2 and 3, has an initial generally linear water receiving passage 34. Drops of water,

which are introduced by the metered valve at point 36 move along the low velocity steam generating chambers linear receiving passage 34 into a linear passageway 40 also part of the low velocity steam generating chamber. The water, which is all steam before it teaches the end of linear passageway 40, enters common dual outlet paths 42 which communicate with steam ports 44 in the sole plate 12. Low pressure steam generating passage 34 and passageway 40 and paths 42 lie within the center of the U-shaped embedded heating element 22 and thus droplets introduced at point 36 are heated by heating element 22 by conduction through the sole plate 12.

The generally linear water receiving passage 34 and the linear passageway 40 are slightly inclined to aid the flow of the water droplets in the low velocity steam generating chamber, from the point of entry 36 to the end of passageway 40. The paths 42 are higher than passageway 40 so that water that has condensed after the iron has cooled collects in passageway 40 and remains there because of the steps 45 produced by the height differential of passageway 40 and paths 42.

A second steam generating chamber, independent and separate from the low velocity steam generating chamber, which generates a high velocity, deep penetrating steam, has water receiving passage 46 which is a generally U-shaped passage of smooth curvature having portions 48 lying over legs 24 and 26 of theembedded heating element 22. A tortuous passageway 50, also part of the second steam generating chamber, eonnects the water receiving passage 46 with common outlet paths 42 and the steam ports 44. The majority of the tortuous passageway 50 also overlies legs 24 and 26 of the embedded heating element 22. Water introduced at point 52 in the high velocity steam generating passage travels the smooth, curved water receipt passage 46 to portion 48, where it flows over the portion of the sole plate in direct contact with the embedded heating element and further is heated in the tortuous passageway 50, also overlying the heating elements. By the time that the water enters common outlet paths 42, it is completely converted to steam with a high velocity.

The steam ports 44 are located in areas 54 and 56 which lie within the U-shaped heating element 22, and area 58 which lies within and without the U-shaped heating element 22. Areas 54 and 56 communicate with common outlet paths 42 through openings 62 and 64, respectively, in the upper portion of the lateral walls of path 42, to insure that only steam enters areas 54 and 56. The steam from common outlet paths 42 communicates with area 58 via openings 64, areas 56 and openings 66.

The low velocity steam generating chamber is made up of generally linear sections 34,40 of fairly wide width, so that the water introduced drop-by-drop at point 36 travels down the linear sections 34,40 and converts into a low volume oflow velocity steam by the time it reaches common outlet paths 42 and steam ports 44. To the contrary, the high velocity steam generating chamber comprises narrow sections, one of a smooth curved shape and the other tortuous shaped, both of which have portions overlying the embedded heating element 22 so that a relatively large volume of water introduced quickly by pumping travels the smooth curved passageway at a high rate and by reason of close proximity to the heating elements and by the tortuous path, is quickly converted to steam which is introduced as high velocity steam into common outlet path 42 and steam ports 44. The location of the two separate steam generating chambers makes effective and efficient use of the total sole plate area and areas of different proximity to the heating elements.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising: i

a sole plate having a plurality of steam ports therein;

a heating means embedded within said sole plate;

a first steam generating chamber communicating with said steam ports through an outlet path;

a second steam generating chamber. independent of said first steam generating chamber, communicating with said steam ports through said outlet path, said second steam generating chamber includes a tortuous passageway at least a portion of which extends over said embedded heating element; and

a cover means secured to said sole plate to define said first and second steam generating chambers.

2. A subassembly as in claim 1 wherein said second steam generating chamber includes a substantially smooth curved water receiving passage, at least a portion of which extends over said embedded heating element.

3. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising:

a sole plate with a plurality of steam ports therein;

an outlet path including said steam ports;

a cover secured to said sole plate;

a heating element embedded in said sole plate. a por tion of said heating element being generally U- shaped;

a first steam generating chamber lying within said U- and communicating with said outlet path a first point; and

a second steam generating chamber, being independent of said first steam generating chamber, having a portion extending over said and communicating with said outlet path at a second point other than said first point.

4. A subassembly as in claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said second steam generating chamber lies within said 5. A subassembly as in claim 3 wherein said first steam generating chamber includes a substantially linear passageway, and said second steam generating chamber includes a tortuous passageway.

6. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising:

a sole plate having a plurality of steam ports therein;

a heating means embedded within said sole plate;

a first steam generating chamber communicating with said steam ports through an outlet path;

a second steam generating chamber communicating with said steam ports through an outlet path, said first and second steam generating chambers being independent of each other and separately connected to said outlet path; and

a cover means secured to said sole plate to define said first and second steam generating chambers.

7. A subassembly as in claim 6 wherein said first steam generating chamber includes a substantially linear water receiving passage and a substantially linear passageway.

8. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising:

a sole palte with a plurality of steam ports therein;

a cover secured to said sole plate to define said steam generating subassembly; I

a heating element embodied within said sole plate, a portion of said heating element being generally U shaped;

a first steam generating chamber lying within said U and communicating with said steam ports through a common outlet path, said first steam generating chamber includes a substantially linear water receiving passage and passageway; and

a second steam generating chamber, independent of said first steam generating chamber, at least a por tion of which extends over said heating element, and communicates with said steam ports through said common outlet path; and said second steam generating chamber includes a smooth curved water receiving passage and a tortuous passageway.

9. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising:

a sole plate with a plurality of steam ports therein; a cover secured to said sole plate; a first steam generating chamber, being substantially linear, for generating a low velocity steam;

a second steam generating chamber, independent of said first steam generating chamber having first a substantially smooth curved portion and second a tortuous portion for generating a high velocity steam;

a common outlet path connecting said first and second steam generating chambers and said steam ports; and a heating element embedded within said sole plate.

10. A subassembly as in claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said second steam generating chambers curved portion and tortuous portion extends over said embedded heating element.

11. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising:

a sole plate with a plurality of steam ports therein;

a cover secured to said sole plate to define said steam generating subassembly;

a heating element embodiedwith said sole plate, a portion of said heating element being generally U" shaped;

a first steam generating chamber lying within said U" and communicating with said steam ports through a common outlet path;

a second steam generating chamber at least a portion of which extends over said heating element and which communicates with said steam ports through said common outlet path; and

said first and second steam generating chambers being independent of each other and separately connected to said common outlet path.

l l =l= =l l= 

1. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising: a sole plate having a plurality of steam ports therein; a heating means embedded within said sole plate; a first steam generating chamber communicating with said steam ports through an outlet path; a second steam generating chamber, independent of said first steam generating chamber, communicating with said steam ports through said outlet path, said second steam generating chamber includes a tortuous passageway at least a portion of which extends over said embedded heating element; and a cover means secured to said sole plate to define said first and second steam generating chambers.
 2. A subassembly as in claim 1 wherein said second steam generating chamber includes a substantially smooth curved water receiving passage, at least a portion of which extends over said embedded heating element.
 3. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising: a sole plate with a plurality of steam ports therein; an outlet path including said steam ports; a cover secured to said sole plate; a heating element embedded in said sole plate, a portion of said heating element being generally U-shaped; a first steam generating chamber lying within said ''''U'''' and communicating with said outlet path a first point; and a second steam generating chamber, being independent of said first steam generating chamber, having a portion extending over said ''''U,'''' and communicating with said outlet path at a second point other than said first point.
 4. A subassembly as in claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said second steam generating chamber lies within said ''''U''''.
 5. A subassembly as in claim 3 wherein said first steam generating chamber includes a substantially linear passageway, and said second steam generating chamber includes a tortuous passageway.
 6. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising: a sole plate having a plurality of steam ports therein; a heating means embedded within said sole plate; a first steam generating chamber communicating with said steam ports through an outlet path; a second steam generating chamber communicating with said steam ports through an outlet path, said first and second steam generating chambers being independent of each other and separately connected to said outlet path; and a cover means secured to said sole plate to define said first and second steam generating chambers.
 7. A subassembly as in claim 6 wherein said first steam generating chamber includes a substantially linear water receiving passage and a substantially linear passageway.
 8. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising: a sole palte with a plurality of steam ports therein; a cover secured to said sole plate to define said steam generating subassembly; a heating element embodied within said sole plate, a portion of said heating element being generally ''''U'''' shaped; a first steam generating chamber lying within said ''''U'''' and communicating with said steam ports through a common outlet path, said first steam generating chamber includes a substantially linear water receiving passage and passageway; and a second steam generating chamber, independent of said first steam generating chamber, at least a portion of which extends over said heating element, and communicates with said steam ports through said common outlet path; and said second steam generating chamber includes a smooth curved water receiving passage and a tortuous passageway.
 9. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising: a sole plate with a plurality of steam ports therein; a cover secured to said sole plate; a first steam generating chamber, being substantially linear, for generating a low velocity steam; a second steam generating chamber, independent of said first steam generating chamber, having first a substantially smooth curved portion and second a tortuous portion for generating a high velocity steam; a common outlet path connecting said first and second steam generating chambers and said steam ports; and a heating element embedded within said sole plate.
 10. A subassembly as in claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said second steam generating chamber''s curved portion and tortuous portion extends over said embedded heating element.
 11. A steam generating subassembly for an electric iron comprising: a sole plate with a plurality of steam ports therein; a cover secured to said sole plate tO define said steam generating subassembly; a heating element embodied with said sole plate, a portion of said heating element being generally ''''U'''' shaped; a first steam generating chamber lying within said ''''U'''' and communicating with said steam ports through a common outlet path; a second steam generating chamber at least a portion of which extends over said heating element and which communicates with said steam ports through said common outlet path; and said first and second steam generating chambers being independent of each other and separately connected to said common outlet path. 